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Debates Over the July 2 1776 Declaration Signing
Historian William H. Michael explains Independence was declared on July 2 with the Lee resolution as the crucial act. The public signing occurred on August 2 after drafts and revisions, with Hancock and Thomson drawing up the broadside. The document’s custody moved through state, foreign affairs, and patent offices before the current sealed display in the State Department.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomas Jefferson
William H. Michael
Department ‘of State
United States
Mr. Michal
Richard Henry Teo
Michael
Lee
Great Britain
Micehnel
Jefferson
Dickinson
Hancock
Thomson
Try
Congress
John M Hancock
Attent
Charlee Thomson
Philadelphia
Hyman Gratz
Seventh and Market Streets
City
Penn Patrone! Bank
Independence Hall
Charles Thomson
Continental Congress
John Dunlay
Colouiea
George Washington
Washington
Department of State
Fathers of the Republic
George Wythe
Virginia
Richard Henry Lea
Elbridge Gerry
Mchusetts
Oliver Walcott
Connecticut
Matthew Thornton
New Hampshire
Thomas McKean
Delaware
John Joachim Zubly
Savannah
Georgia
James Wright
Zubly
Samual Chase
Maryland
Miese
John Houston
Tme
Houston
Watory
Bia
Jons
Ralf
Baveannah
Honora
Ceane
Heaven
Thomas Lynch, Jr
Aigners
Re Alguing
Department of Foreign Affairs
Department of Foreign
Department of Ante
Patent Office
Interior
War and Navy
Button
Gwinnett
John Hart
Thomas Lynch
Trumbull
Benjamin Harrison
Harrison